New York: Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former transport minister and a once-prominent regional governor, was found dead on Monday just hours after President Vladimir Putin removed him from office, triggering a wave of speculation and political shock across Moscow. Officials said the 52-year-old politician died by suicide inside a car in Odintsovo, a suburb of the capital.
The Kremlin announced Starovoit’s dismissal in a presidential decree published early Monday morning, appointing his deputy Andrey Nikitin as acting minister. While no formal reason was provided for the firing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed suggestions it was due to a “lack of trust,” leaving the real motive unclear. Just hours later, Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed that Starovoit had been found with a gunshot wound, with suicide considered the leading theory.
But the timeline of events is now under scrutiny. Russian media outlets, including Forbes Russia, have reported that Starovoit may have died as early as Friday evening—raising fresh questions about whether the firing followed his death or preceded it. Andrei Kartapolov, a senior lawmaker in the State Duma, told local media that the former minister had died “quite long ago,” adding further mystery to the case.
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Was Starovoit Facing Arrest? The Corruption Allegations Explained
Before his brief tenure as transport minister beginning in May 2024, Starovoit served as the governor of the strategically important Kursk region from 2018 to 2024. During his time there, he oversaw defensive infrastructure projects intended to protect against Ukrainian cross-border strikes—efforts that are now at the center of a deepening corruption probe.
Several Russian media outlets, including state-run Vesti and independent outlets like Kommersant and RBC, reported Monday that Starovoit had been implicated in an investigation into the misappropriation of federal funds designated for fortification construction. Kommersant further stated that Starovoit was potentially facing arrest, citing unnamed sources and pointing to testimonies from other accused regional officials who allegedly implicated him.
His successor as Kursk governor, Alexei Smirnov—who had once served as Starovoit’s deputy—was arrested earlier this year in April on related charges. Authorities have alleged that over one billion roubles (nearly £10 million) were embezzled from government funds meant to safeguard the region during wartime.
A Politician’s Rise and Fall
Starovoit was widely considered a loyal Kremlin ally, known for his pragmatic governance and military-friendly rhetoric during his time in Kursk. His unexpected fall from grace follows a pattern in Russian politics where officials, once shielded by power, become vulnerable to prosecution once removed from office. Investigations and criminal charges often surface after such dismissals, leaving few with political immunity.
Reports said Starovoit was found with a Makarov pistol, allegedly awarded to him in 2003 during his service. Russian officials have not confirmed if it was the same weapon used in the fatal shooting. The Investigative Committee continues to look into the exact circumstances of his death, but the suicide theory remains the central line of inquiry.
Wider Context: Chaos in Russia’s Skies and Escalating Tensions
Starovoit’s sudden death came during a chaotic stretch for Russia’s infrastructure and military. Over the weekend and into Monday, the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport reported a massive disruption to air travel: nearly 500 flights were canceled, and nearly 2,000 were delayed or diverted. Officials blamed “external interference,” a vague term not elaborated upon.
However, the Russian Defense Ministry later said that over 400 Ukrainian long-range strikes were intercepted during the same period. Meanwhile, Ukraine confirmed that it had launched drone and missile attacks on a chemical plant in Krasnozavodsk—allegedly used to produce ammunition, including thermobaric warheads for Shahed drones.
More Attacks Across Ukraine: Civilians Among the Dead
On the Ukrainian side, the toll from ongoing Russian strikes remained heavy. Officials said at least 12 civilians were killed and more than 90 injured over a 24-hour period ending Monday morning.
In Kharkiv, a major northeastern city, a drone strike hit a residential building, a kindergarten, and a commercial complex early Monday. The attack injured at least 29 people, including children aged 3, 7, and 11. A second strike just hours later left another 17 wounded, according to the city’s mayor Ihor Terekhov.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia had launched more than 100 Shahed-type drones and four surface-to-air missiles in a single day, 75 of which were successfully intercepted or jammed.
Ukraine’s Land Forces also confirmed that two of its military recruitment offices had been hit by drones, marking the sixth such incident in a little over a week. The military believes these targeted attacks are intended to derail Ukraine’s mobilization efforts.
Unanswered Questions and a Deepening Crisis
The death of Roman Starovoit adds another layer of complexity to Russia’s already unstable political and military landscape. While investigators work to determine whether his death was a direct result of political fallout or legal peril, it underscores the precariousness of power within Putin’s Russia.
As the war drags on and internal corruption probes continue to ripple through once-powerful circles, Starovoit’s demise may not be the last such tragedy—or scandal—to emerge from the shadows of Russia’s political elite.
